The China crime fighter behind the call centre crackdown

Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (left) says he is fully aware of China's Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi's (right) movements, as the operation was a trilateral collaboration between Thailand, Myanmar, and China. - The Nation/ANN

BANGKOK: The crackdown on border cyber-scam operations launched by Liu Zhongyi, China’s Assistant Minister of Public Security, on Feb 16-17 has sparked a widespread reaction among Thais.

Many have questioned the absence of Thai government representatives, wondering why "Crime Fighter Liu" could hop freely between Thailand and Myanmar as if he held sovereignty over Thai territory.